§ 16. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he now has for the early use of land for which housebuilding permission has been given.
§ Mr. ChannonWhere such land is being unreasonably withheld from development, my right hon. and learned Friend is prepared to consider authorisation of compulsory purchase by a local authority under the policy set out in paragraph 27 of Circular 102/72.
§ 49. Dr. Stuttafordasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to urge local authorities whose plans under the Planning Act 1962 are out of date, but whose structure plans are not yet available, to release more land for building at an early date; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RipponLocal planning authorities have already been urged by Circular
Local Authority Location Approximate amount as estimated by Authority in Millions of Pounds Kent County Council … … Walderslade … … 1.75 Kent County Council … … Singleton Ashford … … 2.0 Crawley Urban District Council … … Gossops Green … … 3.0 Essex County Council … … South Woodham Ferrers … … 11.0 East Sussex County Council … … Peacehaven … … 2.0 Colchester Borough Council … … Turner Village … … 0.175 Kingswood Urban District Council … … Woodstock near Bristol … … 1.0 Total … … 20.925
§ 55. Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further initiatives he proposes to take to ensure that outer London boroughs provide land to assist the housing programmes of the inner London boroughs.
§ Mr. EyreLand availability for housing is at present the subject of a programme of discussions with individual boroughs by the Action Group on London Housing. The group will be reporting to my hon. Friend when its
152W102/72 to take early action to release more land for housing in areas of pressure. Paragraph 7 points out that, pending approval of structure plans, it will be necessary in such areas to allow substantial departures from development plans which are out of date.
§ 50. Mr. Idris Owenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment which local authorities have so far applied for loan sanction under his proposals for land assembly schemes; what is the total sum involved; and in respect of which pieces of land.
§ Mr. RipponNo formal applications have yet been made for loan sanction to buy land for private housing under the arrangements set out in Circular 102/72. But provisional approval has been given to schemes costing an estimated total of some £21 million and I understand that schemes to the value of a further £20 million are under consideration by local councils.
Following are the details of the schemes provisionally approved:
programme is completed, and he will consider what action is necessary in the light of its report.